Following a lapse from the unit in the team's rivalry loss to Michigan, Ohio State shook things up on its offensive line entering the College Football Playoff last year.
Many will recall that Luke Montgomery, then a sophomore, started rotating with Austin Siereveld at left guard, who would also rotate with starting right guard Tegra Tshabola. But there was another second-year offensive lineman that the coaching staff thought could incite some change.
Joshua Padilla might not have ultimately played a significant role in the Buckeyes' title run last year, but there was a reason he saw such consideration from the coaching staff. He came on strong behind the scenes as the season neared its end.
“They've been practicing and working towards it,” Day said in December when asked why Padilla and Montgomery were getting a shot to enter the starting OL rotation for the CFP. “I think they deserve an opportunity to compete the next two weeks to see if they can find themselves in a role."
Padilla has an outside shot to claim a starting role for Ohio State in 2025, but regardless, with confidence built from last season and a few years of physical development under his belt, he feels he's prepared to step in wherever he's needed.
"I feel like I'm ready," Padilla said in April. "I feel like my strength's there right now. I've got my weight up to 300 pounds, that's a big thing I've been working on these past couple years. So now I just feel like I'm ready if my name gets called."
Though he never played any meaningful reps for the Buckeyes in 2024, the year was still a sublime experience for Padilla. Riding with his hometown team to a national championship victory is a memory he'll hold for his lifetime.
"It felt surreal," Padilla said. "Something that you dream of as a kid. As a kid, you grew up in Ohio. You always dream about playing for Ohio State. It's just great that I'm able to be here and play in a national championship."
While on that elevator to the top of college football, Padilla got to learn under the best center in the sport, Rimington Trophy winner Seth McLaughlin. Carson Hinzman, who projects to start at the position for the Buckeyes in 2025, replaced McLaughlin when he ruptured his Achilles before Game 11 of Ohio State's season, but there was still a lot for Padilla to absorb backing up the two men.
"Seth, he's definitely made a big impact on how I play the game now," Padilla said. "I look at, like, first and second down different because I feel like he's given me a lot of information, how he sees the defenses, how they move and stuff like that. So I feel like Seth has become a really good factor in my game and how I improve."
Padilla confirmed he worked exclusively at center this spring. But that doesn't mean there isn't a possible route to Ohio State's starting lineup.
The Buckeyes are, as always, searching for their best five. If Padilla proves part of that, they could slide Hinzman over to a guard spot while the other is occupied by Montgomery, Tshabola or Siereveld. It's not the most likely option. But it's on the table.
Regardless, Padilla is leaving an impression on new offensive line coach Tyler Bowen.
"Josh has done a great job really developing into a consistent player," Bowen said in April. "You can tell his wrestling background on the field, just the way he leverages, the way he's able to anchor in the ground. He kind of feels balance and body positions with the defensive line. I've been very impressed with him."
Becoming a good wrestler forces one to learn a lot about body positioning and leverage, as Bowen said, but it also requires a rugged mindset not found in the common individual. To succeed demands excellent discipline and toughness.
"I feel like wrestling has definitely developed my mentality and knack," Padilla said. "I feel like I go out there and I try and basically destroy someone every time. Anyone I go against, I feel like I try and destroy them."
The center position comes with a lot of football knowledge required, too, and that's where Padilla wanted to grow most this offseason. The finer points of communing with the quarterback, setting protections and anchoring run blocking schemes are things that take time and learning.
"Probably the biggest thing that he wanted to grow on, or one of the things, is knowledge of the game," Bowen said. "He's getting himself in a position where he can really run the show."
Regardless of how much he sees the field in 2025, Padilla is keeping the same daily approach to his development.
"Just being consistent every day in what you're doing," Padilla said. "I feel like that's a big thing for what I see myself doing. So just being more consistent every day, and just knowing what I'm doing, is the big thing that I've been working on."
